The DarkSide Program at LNGS

Abstract

DarkSide is a direct detection dark matter program based on two phase time projection chambers with depleted argon targets. The DarkSide detectors are designed, using novel low background techniques and active shielding, to be capable of demonstrating in situ a very low level of residual background. This means that each detector in the DarkSide program should have the ability to make a convincing claim of dark matter detection based on the observation of a few nuclear recoil events. The collaboration is currently operating a 10 kg prototype detector, DarkSide-10, in Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy, while the first physics detector in the program, DarkSide-50, is expected to be deployed at LNGS at the end of 2012.